It's important to take good care of your eye after a cornea transplant to help ensure a good recovery and reduce the risk of complications.
After the procedure
Most peoplehave to stay in hospital for anight after a full-thickness cornea transplant (penetrating keratoplasty).
You may be able to go home the same day if you have a partial-thickness transplant.
Youreye may be covered with an eye pad or plastic shield, which is removed the day after the procedure.
When it's taken away, you may find that your sight is blurred. This is normal.
There should not be serious pain after the operation, but there might be some swelling and discomfort.
If you have had an endothelial keratoplasty–a type of partial-thickness transplant that uses an air bubble to hold the donated cornea in place– you may be askedto lie on your back as much as possible in the first few days after surgery.
This can help hold the transplant in the correct place. The air bubble will be absorbed after a few days.
Looking after your eye
Once you return home after the procedure, you'll need to take good care of your eye.
Some important points to remember include:
- do not rub your eyes
- during the first weeks after surgery, avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting
- if you have a job that does not involve physical strain, you can return to work2 to 3weeks after surgery
- if your job involves manual labour, you should wait for 3 to 4 months
- avoid smoky or dusty places asthis could irritate your eyes
- if your eye issensitive to light, wearing sunglasses can help
- avoid contact sports and swimming until you're given clear advice that it's safe, and wearprotective goggles when resuming contact sports
- bath and shower as normal, butbe careful not to get water in your eye for at least a month
- do not drive until your specialist tells you it's possible
You'll usually be given a patch to wear at night for the first few weeks after surgery to help protect your eye.
For all types of cornea transplant, you have to use steroid or antibiotic eyedrops daily.
These are normally required for several months, although some people may need to use them for more than a year.
The drops reduce swelling and inflammation, and help prevent infection and rejection.
Follow-up
At first you'll need to attend regular follow-up appointments. These should gradually become less frequent over time.
Ifstitches were used to hold thetransplant in place, these are initiallyleft in placeto allow the cornea to heal. They're usually removedafter about ayear.
Your vision
The time it takes for your vision to return after a cornea transplant can range from as little as a few weeks up to a year or more.
This largely depends on the specific procedure used. In some cases, your vision may fluctuate between being better or worse before it settles down.
It's likely you'll need corrective lenses (either glasses or contact lenses), even after your vision returns.
In some cases, a small operation called arcuate keratotomy (AK) or laser treatment is used to correct vision problems after your eyes have healed.
Page last reviewed: 13 July 2021
Next review due: 13 July 2024
I've spent a considerable amount of time delving into the intricacies of cornea transplants, and my understanding of the subject is quite comprehensive. I've explored various procedures, from full-thickness cornea transplants like penetrating keratoplasty to partial-thickness transplants, particularly endothelial keratoplasty involving the use of an air bubble to secure the donor cornea. My expertise extends beyond the surgery itself, encompassing the crucial postoperative care that significantly influences recovery outcomes.
In the realm of cornea transplants, the immediate aftermath is critical. I'm well-versed in the nuances of postoperative care—whether it's the overnight stay for full-thickness transplants or the specifics of partial-thickness procedures, including the temporary use of eye pads and the potential for blurred vision post-shield removal. I understand the importance of managing pain, swelling, and discomfort after the surgery, tailoring the approach to different types of transplants.
Moving on to the homefront, I recognize the paramount importance of meticulous eye care following a cornea transplant. The prohibition of eye rubbing, the timeline for resuming work based on physical strain, and precautions against environmental irritants like smoke and dust—all factors I'm well-acquainted with. I'm attuned to the specific recommendations for those sensitive to light, emphasizing the use of sunglasses. Furthermore, I grasp the intricacies of postoperative restrictions on activities such as contact sports and swimming, accompanied by the necessity of protective goggles in certain situations.
The use of nightly eye patches, a standard postoperative precaution, is something I'm intimately familiar with. Equally, I'm knowledgeable about the long-term commitment to steroid and antibiotic eye drops, understanding their role in reducing swelling, inflammation, and the prevention of infection and rejection.
As for the follow-up process, I'm cognizant of the initial frequency of appointments that gradually decrease over time. I understand the temporary nature of stitches, left in place initially for healing before removal after about a year.
Finally, the timeline for vision recovery is a facet of cornea transplants that I'm well-versed in. Whether it's a matter of weeks or potentially a year or more, the variability hinges on the specific procedure undertaken. I recognize the potential for vision fluctuations before stabilization and the likelihood of needing corrective lenses even post-recovery. In some cases, I'm aware of the use of procedures like arcuate keratotomy (AK) or laser treatment to address vision issues after the eyes have fully healed.
Feel free to pick my brain on any specific aspect of cornea transplants or related topics!
